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T O P I C R E V I E W

capoetc

I have a relatively small collection of first-day covers, most of which are crew autographed and canceled for launch/landing/recovery.

I am concerned about three things:

I have seen covers that have "bleed through" of the adhesive that holds the cover together (the glue that secures the back-side folds of the cover), and I don't want this to happen to my covers. Can it be avoided?

Is there a good way to prevent the gum sealing of an envelope from either bleeding through or from sealing itself to the envelope? I am planning to move to a higher-humidity place soon, and I don't want my covers to end up getting sealed.

Is there a good way to de-acidify the paper in FDC's to prevent them from yellowing? So far, my covers are fine, but I'd like to keep them that way.

NAAmodel#240

You might consider buying 8x10 sheets of 2% calcium carbonate buffered card stock. Cut this to slide into the envelope. This will deacidify in both directions and keep the glue from marking the face.

I also apply Bookkeeper brand deacidifying spray to my covers. While it is applied wet it does not harm stamps or autographs. It dries in less than a minute and leaves a barely noticeable powder to fight aging.

Both can be bought from Gaylordmart.com

Good luck.

capoetc

Is Bookkeeper deacidifying spray safe to use on signed covers? I would really hate to turn a great collectible like an Apollo Insurance Cover into a "gee, too bad the previous owner sprayed that stuff on it" piece...

micropooz

The answer to that is test, test, test before you spray your Apollo insurance cover.

I used Bookkeeper's predecessor named Wei' To (sp?) several years back and tested it on a lot of lower value covers and autos - it never ran any ink or affected the look of covers. But I never could screw up the courage to spray it on my insurance covers. However, the insurance covers never showed any acid-related symptoms (toning, gum bleed, brittleness). I also tested those covers with a pH testing pen, and the insurance covers have come up acid-free so far.

I'd recommend that you get a pH testing pen, available from LightImpressionsDirect.com or probably Gaylord. Use it to test a discreet spot on the inside or back of your cover. If it shows that the cover is acid-free, I wouldn't risk spraying it. If it shows acidity, then you have a judgment call to make. Again, test the pH pen on some cheaper covers (or even blank mailing envelopes) to get the hang of it before you go put a blue dot on the wrong part of your insurance cover.

Good luck...

capoetc

Thanks... I'll, ummm... think about it.

Apollo-Soyuz

What I do to keep the gum from bleeding through the front of the cover is to pull the flap open and leave a stuffer inside the cover. This will allow no bleed to get to the front of the cover. Envelopes of good quality should be okay.

------------------John MaccoVice President, Space Unit

capoetc

Thanks. Do you leave the flap outside the envelope or tuck it inside (with the gum-part up against the stuffer-card)?

Apollo-Soyuz

I prefer to leave it out.

Joe Frasketi

If the envelope flap is left out, it may also stick to the back of the envelope.

What I do is purchase #6 glassine envelopes and cut them to the a wee bit smaller size of the #6 size envelope to make one glassine sheet and insert this glassine sheet between the stuffer card and the back of the envelope, then insert the flap so that it lays against the glassine sheet. If the flap does get stuck it can easily be peeled off of the glassine sheet. I have been doing this for years with no problems.

Even if envelopes are of good quality, I would recommend putting a stuffer inside the cover along with the glassine sheet. As envelopes that I thought were of good quality turned out to be just the opposite, over the years.

If you are making your own covers you can purchase envelopes with ungummed flaps so you don't have to worry about sticking inside or outside.

capoetc

quote:Originally posted by Joe Frasketi:What I do is purchase #6 glassine envelopes and cut them to the a wee bit smaller size of the #6 size envelope to make one glassine sheet and insert this glassine sheet between the stuffer card and the back of the envelope, then insert the flap so that it lays against the glassine sheet.

That sounds like a great idea!

mjanovec

I have read that glassine tends to be hydroscopic...meaning that it absorbs moisture from the air. It might not be an issue if you live in a dry climate, but those who live in more humid climates may wish to avoid glassine for archival purposes.

capoetc

Hmmm... quite a conundrum. How to keep the gum on the envelope from sticking...